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Used

As I look back over the past 15 years, I see so many ways in which I basically prostitued myself to the world. (Of course, I do not mean I was an actual prostitue by trade or by any other means!) I let the world take everything from me. I sometimes gave it freely out of rebellion, out of hurt and frustration, out of the need to feel accepted or part of something. At the end, though, I still felt hurt and frustrated, alone, unfulfilled and now I had an addiction.

My drug of choice was alcohol. I would drink for a feeling. Maybe I had a bad day, or maybe I had something to celebrate. I'd end up with a terrible hangover, which of course could only be cured by another drink. Then, I'd drink because I was ashamed I had had so much to drink the night before and I had behaved so badly! Or worse, I couldn't remember what I had done so I had to rely on those drinking with me to piece it back together. I know, stupid, but a very real, a very vicious cycle. I was so ashamed of how far I fell away from my only source of life. I was no longer attached to The Vine. I had compromised EVERYTHING. There is no void or darkness greater than when you turn your back on The Light!

The truth is that when the world uses you, they use you up. You are left feeling exhausted, empty, dehydrated, numb and very, very alone. Eventually you have nothing left to give, so your "friends" move on to the next well.

Oh, but life in Canaan is far richer! When God uses you, He not only replenishes what was used, He more than doubles your return! The more you pour out, the more He pours in! What an investment!

Luke 6:38
"...Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap..."

WOW! How encouraging; literally, "my cup runneth over!"

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